Day 1. Arrival at the airport, transfer and accommodation at Hotel Georgian House in Tbilisi, at the evening visit to sulphur baths – where “water is hot without the fire” – as Ibn Haukal wrote in the X c.
Day 2. Sightseeing in Tbilisi and Mtskheta: a walk in the old-city, multinational Abanotubani, Narikala Fortress (IV c.), Metekhi church, Karvasla Museum (Caravan-sarai), Saint Trinity Church, Sioni Cathedral, basilica Anchiskhati (IV c.), Treasury of Art Museum. Cultural excursion to the old capital of Georgia – Mtskheta: a view from historic and architectural complex of Jvari (VII - XI c.), Svetitskhoveli Cathedral (XI c.), Samtavro Convent (IV - XI cc.), dinner at Georgian Restaurant Tamada in Tbilisi with national cuisine, wine and Georgian live music. Stay overnight in Tbilisi.
Day 3. Departure to west Georgia: on the way – visit to Uplistsikhe and Stalin’s birth place and Museum in Gori. Arrival in Kutaisi: visit Bagrati Temple, historic and architectural complex of Gelati (XI c.). Stay overnight in Kutaisi.
Day 4. Departure to the resort Borjomi, walk in the park and tasting Borjomi mineral spring water, drive to Armenia. On the way visit cave-city and monastery ensemble Vardzia – 13-storey city cut out of solid rock (XII c.). Cross the Georgian - Armenian border and meeting with the local guide for Armenia tour. Stay overnight in Alaverdi.
Day 5. Start Armenian program in Alaverdi and drive to Yerevan, excursion to Matenadaran Institute of ancient manuscripts, fortress of Garni (I c. BC), Geghard monastery cut in the rock (XII - XIII cc.), Gehatavank monastery, leisure afternoon in Yerevan: a walk in the city, shopping, stay overnight in Yerevan.
Day 6. Monastery of Echmiadzin (II c.), basilica of St. Gayane, church of St. Ripsime (XII c.), ruins of Zvartnots temple (VII c.), Khor-Virap, Noravanq Monastery Complex. Drive to the Lake Sevan and stay overnight there.
Day 7. Drive to Georgia via Bolnisi Sioni and Dmanisi - centre of sensational excavations of the “birthplace of the first European human species”. Visit East Georgia, wine Region – Kakheti: fortified city of Sighnaghi, medieval citadel of Gremi, Alaverdi monastery (XI c.) and stay overnight in Telavi.
Day 8. Visit Shuamta Monastery Complex (IV - VII c.), ancient Akademy of Ikalto, Tsinandali wine-cellar, shashlik picnic with Georgian wine and drive to Tbilisi, leisure afternoon in the capital: shopping in the city and a walk along the Rustaveli Avenue. Stay overnight in Tbilisi.
Day 9. Transfer to the airport for departure.
Booking e-mail: info@exotour.ge;
provided by Travel and Trekking Tours to Caucasus
